Sorrow and seduction: the psychology of Werther: We meet Ginger Costa-Jackson and Leonardo Capalbo ahead of Grange Park Opera's production of Massenet's emotionally-charged opera.

This article focuses on Grange Park Opera's production of Jules Massenet's opera *Werther*, exploring the psychological depth and emotional intensity of the characters Werther and Charlotte. Italian-American principal singers Ginger Costa-Jackson (mezzo-soprano) and Leonardo Capalbo (tenor) discuss their interpretations of the roles, highlighting themes of young love, grief, duty, and mental health drawn from Goethe's novel *The Sorrows of Young Werther*. The production, directed by John Doyle and conducted by Christopher Hopkins, emphasizes the timeless relevance of the opera's emotional experiences, with Capalbo making his role debut as Werther. Both singers reflect on the challenges and rewards of opera performance and the connection between performers and audiences.